Vagharshapat, Armenia

Capital City

With a population just over 37,000, Vagharshapat is a satellite of Yerevan, Armenia's bustling capital. While once the seat of the Armenian kingdom, today the city's main claim to fame is as the spiritual capital, home to the Armenian Apostolic Church's Mother Cathedral. However, residents contend with the city's persistent bureaucratic headaches - a legacy of its shifting political allegiances over the centuries. Vagharshapat's chilly, semi-arid climate and proximity to the closed Turkish-Armenian border are additional factors to weigh. This 'holy city' is best suited for those drawn to its religious heritage and willing to navigate its administrative complexities.